Apprentice Review

My current role is an engineering support technician, this was chosen as my pathway to take through the apprenticeship. This is a mainly an office based experience, my placements have so far included Maintainability, Quality and Manufacturing Support. Most of what I do are small tasks/projects provided by supervisors either helping them or working on my own. Tasks usually include collating/examining data (measurements/historic data/drawings etc.), producing documentation (company work instructions/inspection reports/presentations). Even though I am mainly office based, I have spent a lot of time on the shop floor; measuring, inspecting, looking at problems, learning about processes and procedures. After completing work mentioned above, I have to complete apprenticeship documentation, basically writing up what I have done in appreciation of the placement criteria. Currently I spend one day a week I go to college which was paid for by the company.

I have learnt a tremendous amount of new skills. While at college full time in the first year of the apprenticeship, I learnt how to operate a range of machines and tools which I had never even heard of before the apprenticeship. While on placements I have learnt a lot about general working life; in terms of what is expected of you as an employee and how to deal with different situations. I have become much more confident speaking to people to gain knowledge and understanding, and I have learnt that it is good to ask questions even though some of them may sound stupid in your head.

I enjoy my apprenticeship program a lot, I have met a lot of good friends, learnt a lot about engineering / working life and best of all I have been able to become much more independent because of the wage. I have been able to do things in my personal life which many of my friends who went to University have not, such as buying my own car and going on holidays. I also enjoy that my every day work is usually quite varied, because I will be assisting different people and changing environment fairly regularly.

I feel like the apprenticeship schemes within Siemens are held quite highly in terms of importance. I am generally treated as any other employee and we have all of the opportunities that you should expect from having a job. There have also been a number of publicity/apprentice days/meetings etc. which have been arranged.

My apprenticeship program is well organized/structured. From the very start we have been given timetables/emails/letters about what/where we should be and when. For example, I currently know what placement I will be on (and at what times) more than a year into the future. I also have regular checkup meetings with my managers/HR team about my experience and future within the apprenticeship.

My college experience has been slightly less than satisfactory in terms of what I expect from an education. We have gone from having numerous lessons every week to just two, due to tutors leaving or severe lack of organization. This is nothing to do with the standard at Siemens which is much better. The tutors we still have are supportive and helpful, but it's hard to make up for the fact we are missing out on the majority of the syllabus. Other teachers that have been brought in to cover are often not capable of teaching the subject.

We receive plenty of support from our employer, in terms of organization, answering questions and informing us of important information. I am able to email, call up and receive responsive informative replies that help me.

I am very happy with the salary I am provided with while on an apprenticeship with Siemens. It has allowed me to enjoy freedom to pay for activities and items in my personal life as well as putting some away for future savings. My current costs aren't that high as I live with my parents, but I have to pay a fair amount of money on fuel which is possible with my salary. I am moving out this month into a shared flat, I believe I should be quite happy meeting these costs on my current salary, especially knowing that I will receive a pay rise soon.

In terms of educational opportunities outside of placement work, throughout the apprenticeship you are given the chance to apply for college, university and other training courses. There are opportunities to volunteer to advertise the apprenticeship or hold taster days/talks on the apprenticeship. We also get given parking passes which can be used on weekends for nice free parking. The company also holds fun days like Santa runs and I'm sure there are some opportunities to join clubs etc. as well.

Yes

Siemens is a large company with a whole range of different job roles and opportunities. Employee welfare is extremely good; we get plenty of holiday hours, pension, sick leave and even free hot drinks! Additionally, because the company is quite large, there is a lot of room for promotion, climbing the ladder up towards higher, more important roles.

Try your best, work hard and show them that you have the ability to learn. Even if you don't think you have a solid base knowledge in the subject you should always show a willingness to improve.